Kickstarter

We have not forgotten you.  We just closed Life of Death and we are ramping up to another amazing installment of Deathscribe on December 3rd at the Mayne Stage in Rogers Park.  We hope you will be joining us.  Thanks again for your support and your goodies will be on their unmerry way shortly.

Just a reminder that The Life of Death must close on November 4th. See what the critics have said: 

TIME OUT CHICAGO - Emily Gordon 4 Stars (out of 5) "Casey Cunningham captivates in a tense, dread-filled adaptation of Clive Barker’s short story ... Cunningham’s performance is extraordinary; she commands attention even when curled up in the fetal position. In Elaine, she’s created an eloquent fighter-philosopher whose woes become world-altering catastrophe." " The Life of Death deserves the dread and sweat of a serious audience ... The terror builds subtly but steadily through director Carolyn Klein’s inspired arrangements of a nimble cast ..." "The Life of Death deserves the dread and sweat of a serious audience." 

SHERIDAN ROAD MAGAZINE - Brian Kirst "Those reveling in pre-Halloween energy will find much to enjoy with WildClaw Theatre’s darkly beautiful adaptation of The Life of Death ... hauntingly directed by Carolyn Klein and features a deeply incisive performance by Casey Cunningham" "stellar example of gooey bloodshed mixing with stellar poeticism ... (a) perfect, ghoulish theatrical experience for this very haunted season." 

CENTERSTAGE CHICAGO - Kristen Walters "Set designer John Wilson and make-up artist Aly Renee Amidei steal the show.. their talents impress throughout the play." "Steve Herson’s silky, yet slimy Kavanaugh recalls Ian McKellan a la The Davinci Code. Michaela Petro plays a complicated and bewitching Hermione. Mallory Nees charms in her small, comic role as Bernice." "Act II unfolds quickly and with a number of interesting surprises and twists that terrify on a psychological level if not a visceral one." 

CHICAGO THEATER BEAT - Keith Glab A mind-bending ride of sensory delight and heart-pounding horror Recommended: 3 1⁄2 (out of 4 stars) “It’s the time of the year when many of Chicago’s theatre companies decide to produce a horror-themed show. WildClaw Theatre specializes in this sort of thing year-round, so it’s no surprise to see them excel.” “(T)his show is much more than sensory delight and heart-pounding horror … The Life of Death not only evokes feeling, but it prompts thought and introspection as well.” 

KICKING THE SEAT - Ian Simmons “This play is an immersive feat of black magic, thanks largley to the perfect marriage of sound (Christopher Kriz), lighting (Brandon Wardell), and scenery (John Wilson). The creators are in full command of where and how the audience focuses its attention--particularly in the crypt sequence, which caught me completely off guard in a genuine, jaw-dropping moment or terror.” “… I highly recommend The Life of Death. It's a good story carried by great themes, greater performances, and a refreshingly imaginative way of engaging an audience. This is Halloween-season entertainment for adults who don't mind a little blood-'n-guts with their gut-wrenching existentialism.” 

CHICAGO READER - Albert Williams "Under Carolyn Klein's direction, WildClaw stalwart Steve Herson brings texture to the role of the tall, deep-voiced fellow who may or may not be the grim reaper." " ... an impressively evocative, eerie sound design by Christopher Kriz and inventive video segments by Ira Amyx."

TIME OUT CHICAGO, 4 stars (out of 5), by Emily Gordon, http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/theater/15761651/the-life-of-death-at-wildclaw-theatre-theater-review 

 "Casey Cunningham captivates in a tense, dread-filled adaptation of Clive Barker’s short story." "WildClaw’s The Life of Death, adapted from a Clive Barker story, achieves two scary layers simultaneously, just in time for Halloween." 

 "The terror builds subtly but steadily through director Carolyn Klein’s inspired arrangements of a nimble cast." 

 "Cunningham’s performance is extraordinary; she commands attention even when curled up in the fetal position. In Elaine, she’s created an eloquent fighter-philosopher whose woes become world-altering catastrophe." 

 "Steve Herson (as Kavanagh), Michaela Petro (as Elaine’s complex friend Hermione) and Mallory Nees (as a featherbrained secretary) enrich and enliven each moment onstage." 

 "The Life of Death deserves the dread and sweat of a serious audience." 

 CENTERSTAGE CHICAGO, by Kristin Walters, http://centerstagechicago.com/theatre/shows/12495.html 

"Set designer John Wilson and make-up artist Aly Renee Amidei steal the show.. their talents impress throughout the play." 

 "The cast... performs well; there’s palpable camaraderie between them." 

 "Steve Herson’s silky, yet slimy Kavanaugh recalls Ian McKellan a la The Davinci Code. Michaela Petro plays a complicated and bewitching Hermione. Mallory Nees charms in her small, comic role as Bernice." 

 "Act II unfolds quickly and with a number of interesting surprises and twists that terrify on a psychological level if not a visceral one." 

 CHICAGO READER, by Albert Williams, http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-life-of-death/Event?oid=6878918 

 "...an impressively evocative, eerie sound design by Christopher Kriz and inventive video segments by Ira Amyx." 

 "Under Carolyn Klein's direction, WildClaw stalwart Steve Herson brings texture to the role of the tall, deep-voiced fellow who may or may not be the grim reaper."

Well opening happened. It was fast and furious and truly inspiring to see everyone come together with their talents and A Game. If you are in town, come on down and see it. This weekend we have a special 2-for-1 ticket code at the box office BRING OUT YOUR DEAD.

We are sending out your goodies shortly. If you got a ticket as a part of your reward (you awesome people you)...feel free to email me to set that up if you want to get in this weekend at aly@wildclawtheatre.com.

And here's a little taste of the show! Company members Casey Cunningham (Elaine Rider) and Steve Herson (Kavanagh). Photo by Kevin Mullaney.

Blood bags were made and spilled.  Boils were made and applied.  Three tubs of hummus were consumed....and ART was accomplished.  First dress is this evening and folks are excited to get a solid run in without all the stops and starts that come with the very painstaking process of making all of these moving pieces work together.  We are doing video for the first time in this show which is exciting for us.  We open on friday....so get your tickets now!

And here's a photo taken by cast member Christy Arrington of fellow cast member Mallory Nees  holding her very first blood bag backstage.  Welcome to WildClaw....